It’s easy to feel like there’s been so much spilled ink on the subject of love over the centuries (and even millennia) that there’s nothing new to say. After a while, the opining on pining and the musings on heartbreak can simply blur into one – but there are some examples that stand out from the crowd.
Whether you're lovesick, tired of swiping through the apps, or simply interested in love beyond the happily-ever-after of your favourite rom-coms , these non-fiction books, novels, and short stories will help you approach love and romance from a different point of view.
“Why do I, and so many others, feel as though we’re failures in our love lives?” muses Shon Faye, journalist and bestselling author of The Transgender Issue
When poet Amy Key was growing up, it was Joni Mitchell’s seminal 1971 album Blue that shaped her understanding of what love would look and feel like – but that’s not how things panned out by the time she was in her 40s. Using the songs and lyrics of Blue to inform each chapter, Arrangements in Blue is a brave, tender, and beautifully written exploration of what it means to build a life that is not defined by romantic love. You can learn more about the inspiration and creative process behind this book in our interview with Amy Key .
Intrigued by tales of love, but craving something unconventional? Consider this collection of darkly irreverent short stories by Kirsty Logan, critically acclaimed author of Now She is Witch
This dazzling debut novel by writer and performer Roxy Dunn follows protagonist Margot as she charts the course of her romantic relationships, from the rush of her first sexual encounter as a teenager, to the love, heartbreaks, and flings of her 20s, culminating in a life-changing decision at the age of 34. As Young as This plants you right at the forefront of these experiences, as Margot navigates friendships and family bonds, the ecstatic highs and viscerally painful lows of adulthood, and the realisation that the pursuit of a romantic partner is not the key to unlocking her deepest-held dreams and aspirations.
In this gorgeously illustrated anthology, artist Luke Edward Hall and poet and 2025 debut novelist Seán Hewitt have delved into the classical canon to bring together 40 of the most riveting musings and intoxicating stories of queer love and desire. From Sappho to Cicero, 300,000 Kisses will make you see not only the ancient world in a new light, but also the experiences of love and longing that have been part of the human experience throughout history.
The global bestselling memoir of journalist and author Dolly Alderton details the romances, heartbreaks, misadventures and more of a 20-something woman coming of age and finding her way in life – but above all, it is a testament to the power of friendships (particularly between women) and their capacity to teach us more about love than romantic relationships. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come away with a new perspective on the true source of love and self-fulfilment – whatever your age.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but if you’re seeking a fresh outlook on love, it could be worth going back to the source text. Recounting the course of a drinking party, which culminates in a captivating speech from Socrates, The Symposium sees a group of Athenian intellectuals share their thoughts on the nature of eros , or erotic desire. One of three Plato texts that ruminates on love, this is a short and accessible yet rich exploration of the subject, infused with humour and lively rhetorical flourishes, that laid the foundations for how love is understood in western philosophy and culture to this day.
Over the course of several years, journalist Natasha Lunn spoke to writers, therapists, and great thinkers on all things love and relationships, in a bid to better understand an experience that always felt out of reach. The result is a beautiful collection of personal anecdotes and interviews, featuring voices such as Dolly Alderton , Philippa Perry , Lisa Taddeo, Alain de Botton , Diana Evans , Roxane Gay and more, that will have you reconsidering the many-faceted experiences – good and bad – of love.
In the age of dating apps, ghosting, love-bombing, breadcrumbing, and countless other neologisms, it's easy to feel like all hope is lost if you're single and looking for love. If anyone can convince you otherwise it's Paul Brunson, renowned matchmaker, co-host of Married at First Sight UK , and Tinder's resident insight and relationship expert. Find Love , the first title in his Fundamentals of Love series, is the ultimate guide to help you navigate the often confusing modern dating landscape – from red flags and green flags, to attachment style – along with a handy quiz to help you understand what you're really looking for in a relationship.
Yinka is plagued by unending questions from her mother and aunties about when she will find herself a “huzband”, so when her cousin gets engaged, she’s determined to secure herself a date in time for the wedding. What could possibly go wrong for our complex yet loveable heroine ? If your family gatherings are similarly filled with dreaded questions about when you’re going to meet someone and “settle down”, this brilliantly funny rom-com by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is the ultimate cathartic read that carries a valuable and affirming lesson in self-love.
Few people know more about the complexities and taboos of romantic love than couples therapists, who dedicate their careers to lifting the lid on relationships and resolving tension. Drawing from three decades of work, Tell Me the Truth About Love sees therapist and former chair of The British Psychoanalytic Council Susanna Abse share the stories of 13 couples who have sat on her couch over the years. What makes this book especially illuminating, however, are the parallels Abse draws between her case studies and classic fables – a reminder of the timeless and universal nature of even the most complicated love stories.
